Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-18
COERCION PROSPECTS.
MUCH NERVOUSNESS IN BOTH PARTIES
OVER THg COMING VOTE.
Indications Of Tory vicDg-Mr. Sehnadhorst
Says The 0nly Reason br OoerciOr is That
the Landlords Cannot Get fher Rents
-GOvsEpmeai Desss: Predicted.

LONDON, April 17.-Both parties are
nervously anxious regarding the result Of
the division on the second reading Of tho
Coercion bill, which takes place on Friday
next. IL is known that there are many
wayerers in both the Liberal Unionist and
Tory ranks. But how many will vote for
the second reading, how many will dodge
the vote by being absent or how many
will boldly vote against the measure can
not be confidently predicted. The lowest
estimate of the majority on the first read
ing was 100, the actual majority was 80,
which was % less than the Governments
majority on paper. Six Gladstonians were
absent on account Of illness. No serious
break, however, is anticipated on the Sc
ond reading, but there are . number Of
leading Liberals who are confident that
they will be able to defeat the bill in COM
mittee.
The member of Mr.. Glsdstone's last ad-
ministation who characterized the Coor-
cion bill rs "a bill to enable the govern
ment TO commit suicide, says that his as
sertion will be found 10 he correct within
the next two months II is admitted even
by the conidants OF Lord Harrington that
the tug of war will come when the bill
reaches the committee stage, and that the
tiual vote would show decided break In
the Liberal Unionist ranks. The Is un.
questionably much anxiety regarding the
fate of the bill among its leading support
ers, rs they expect not only detection
among the Liberal Unionists, but also
among the Conservatives, as not few Of
the latter have already threatened TO bolt
unless the bill is greatly modified. The
agitation against the measure throughput
the country undoubtedly viii aid greatly
in defeating the measure. The labor
unions regard with alarm and aver
sion the provision which gives the
Lord Lieutenant, by an order in Council,
power 10 proclaim men for belonging 10
what is vaguely called dangerous associa-
tions." Citizens look with repugnance
upon the prospect Of being asked to serve
upon juries in London for the trial OF Irish
men accused of oiienses committed In Ire
land. In fact, the measure Is denounced
by the labor combinations and other or
carnations rs having been constructed ~
as TO assail every sentiment OF Justice aud
even the constitutional principle.
THE LIBERAL OUTLOOK.
Mr.. Schuadhorst, the Liberal caucus
king, says that ''the Liberal party never
had a more neediul and patriotic work 10
do than they have now In opposing by
every means this most monstrous measure.
There is absolutely no justification for IL.
To excuse il the Government has been
compelled TO rake up old stories Of
outrages which were employed in 1851 and
lss2 ~ pretext for the bills OF those
years. Ireland was never more tranquil
aud more free from crime than at present.
The only persons who are in trouble arc
the bad landlords who will not do what
their humane neighbors have freely done.
The real reason for coercion In the despair
ing cry of the landlords, who wish to make
one more effort 10 recover their predom-
nance in Ireland. The bill il violation
of the pledges of the Government. They
were thrust into Office to govern Ireland
by the ordinary law, and their first serious
endeavor proves TO be an attempt 10 put
Ireland under exceptional law. This
country will not stand IL, and whether
the hill passes or not the doom OF the
Government Is sealed. "
The position of the Liberal dissentients
becomes more and more difficult every
day. Opposition TO coercion is the funda-
mental article of their faith. They ridi-
cule Mr.. Gladstone = contention that Home
Rule Is the only alternative to coercion.
They condemned coercion laws as Wig
orously as any Radical. They pro
claimed through the length and breadth
of the land the possibility Of govern
ing Ireland without resorting 10 coercion
OF Home Rule. Their existence was staked
upon this position. They were elected 20
support this opinion. They have professed
il up 10 within the last month or two.
Now they propose, and are invited by Lord
Harrington TO support, measure which
makes coercion perpetual and coercion Of
a kind which even Russia would shrink
from applying
sPRscER DEFENDS THE PARSELLITEs.
Earl Spencer, who was lord lieutenant of
ireland under Mr.. Gladsione's administra-
tion, in an interview to-day with Mr..
Charles Augustus Couybeare RadicaD,
member OF Parliament from Cornwall, sAid
he knew from his experience n viceroy,
and nobody could possibly know better,
that il was absolutely untrue that any
members of the Irish Parliamentary party
were murderers or the associates Of muir
derers, as has been charged by Major San
derson in the House Of Commons